From "My Wild Irish Mother" by Mary Higgins Clar
All her life she was to personify the best of her Irish heritage - a warm and generous heart, undauntable faith in her God, unswerving allegiance to the Democratic Party, heroic resiliency in trouble and always, always, an unquenchable sense of humor.

Sean O'Casey
Laughter is wine for the soul - laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness - the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.

Written by Aldfred, king of the Northumbrian Saxon
The Irish Church of St. PatrickI found in each great church moreo'er,Whether on island or on shore,Piety, learning, fond affection;Holy welcome and kind protection.I found the good lay monks and brothersEver beseeching help for others,And in their keeping the holy wordPure as it came from Jesus the Lord.
Notes: who was educated in an Irish monastery. These lines were in reference to the Irish Church founded by St. Patrick.

Ronald Reagan
Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.

From Cadenus and Vanessa by Jonathan Swift
It is an old maxim in the schools,That flattery's the food of fools;Yet now and then your men of witWill condescend to take a bit.

William Allingham
Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woodsAnd day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.

Attributed to Oscar Wilde's Cleaning lady
"I think people should be allowed to do what they want, as long as they don't do it in the street and frighten the horses."
Notes: when she testified at his trial.

From The Western Island by Peig Sayers
There are so many strange things in the world beyond our knowledge, and maybe there are ghosts too, though I do not understand why they should come back to this world when they have gone from it.

Attributed to Peig Sayers in 'The Western Island'
If curses came from the heart, it would be a sin. But it is from the lips they come, and we use them only to give force to our speech, and they are a great relief of the heart.

Sir Shane Leslie
What is that curling flower of wonderAs white as snow, as red as blood?When death goes by in flame and thunderAnd rips the beauty from the bud.They left his blossom, white and slenderBeneath Glasnevin's shaking sod;His spirit passed like sunset splendourUnto the dead Fiannas' God.Good luck be with you, Michael Collins,Or stay or go you far away;Or stay you with the folk of fairy,Or come with ghosts another day.